K-9s Learn How To Catch Criminals In Morris Co.

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Morris County Sheriff's K-9 officers and dogs recently taught a week-long training course, teaching other officers how to train K-9s in their own departments.

The course was taught at the Morristown Armory, and provided instruction and real-life simulation for officers from the Deal, Mahwah, Jersey City, Hillsborough, and the Essex and Passaic County Sheriff’s Offices.

“The seminar was a vital opportunity for K-9 teams to learn from premier leaders how to deploy K-9s under specific scenarios to stop suspected violent offenders while keeping the community, themselves and their dogs safe,” Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon said.

Police officers were taught how to be "decoys," or stand-in subjects during practice sessions for the dogs. Police officers will wear bulky padding while acting as decoys so avoid being injured.

"For the dog, apprehension is the reward. The decoy is a big toy they get to possess and obtain," Detective Sgt. Aaron Tomasini, who taught the course, said.

The dogs are rarely sent to chase or bite suspects in Morris County, and they're only used after a person had failed to listen to police officers. Still, the dogs can be a powerful tool, Tomasini said. All municipalities have access to the K-9s when needed.

Check out more photos of the K-9 training here:

Image via Morris County Sheriff's Office